Having smoke detectors installed in your home can save your life! But when does a smoke detector expire, and when do you need to replace them? Find out everything you need to know in our guide!
When do smoke alarms expire?
All smoke alarms have a strict working lifetime of 10 years. This means they require replacement every 10 years to keep your home and family safe. This is the same for all types of smoke alarms, whether you have photoelectric or ionisation, hardwired or battery alarms in your home.
Why do they expire?
Smoke alarm sensors will become less sensitive over time and the build-up of dust, insects and other contaminants can affect the operation of the smoke alarm over it's 10 year life. Corrosion of the electrical components can also cause the alarm to deteriorate.
How do you know when your smoke alarms expire?
The manufacture date of the smoke alarm or the expiry date should be printed on the back of the alarm along with the serial number. If your alarm is looking faded or yellowed and you do not know when the alarm was installed, it’s probably time to replace your smoke alarms. Better to be safe than sorry!
What should you do if your smoke alarms are expired?
When replacing expired smoke alarms, you should always replace them with a hardwired photoelectric smoke alarm where possible. Kenner Electrics installs quality hard-wired Clipsal photoelectric smoke alarms to ensure your family and home are safe.
Do you know when your smoke alarms were last tested?
Smoke alarms should be tested regularly to ensure they are working correctly. The Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) recommends that you test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button, and that you should vacuum around the alarm and replace the batteries every year.
If replacing your smoke alarm battery every year regularly slips your mind or is too much of a hassle, why not consider having Kenner Electrics install a rechargeable photoelectric smoke alarm? These have an inbuilt rechargeable lithium battery, which means you won’t have to replace the battery for the 10 year life of the alarm!
Why is your smoke alarm chirping?
Smoke alarms indicate a fault condition by 'chirping'; a high pitched beep which occurs at regular intervals. The most common reason for this is due to a flat battery which is usually fixed by replacing the battery. If the chirping continues, or your smoke alarm has a sealed 10 year battery, you will need to contact a licensed electrician.
Keep your home and family safe!
If you are not sure how old your smoke alarms are, or if they meet the Australian standard, reach out to our friendly Melbourne electricians at Kenner Electrics! We can help you determined where smoke alarms must be installed and upgrade you to interconnected smoke alarms, ensuring you are protected. Call us for the best smoke alarm solutions in the Eastern Suburbs!
